Single Mom of 2 Left with Horrific Burns After Firebomb Attack: ‘Felt Like Being Fried’

A single mother of two in Australia is recovering from devastating burns following a firebomb attack that left her hospitalized for more than two weeks.

Penelope Travers, from Mandurah, south of Perth, spent 17 days in Fiona Stanley Hospital’s burns unit after undergoing surgery and extensive skin grafts to her face, neck, chest, and arms, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The attack occurred earlier this year when someone attempted to throw a firebomb through the window of her car.

“Recently I was the target of malicious fire bomb attacks on my vehicle,” Travers explained on a GoFundMe page created to help with her recovery costs. “The attacker didn’t get the firebomb through the car window during the first attack and instead set my carport on fire.”

“When I went outside to try and put the fire out, the spray paint cans I had near the vehicle exploded in my face,” she wrote. “As a result of the explosion, I’ve ended up with burns to 25 percent of my body including my face, neck, chest, and arms.”

Travers described undergoing a 4.5-hour surgery for skin grafts and receiving a blood transfusion. She said, “Both my arms, the backs of my hands, and the top of my foot have all had skin grafts.”

Police have told Travers the incident was a targeted attack, according to 9News. “It felt like being fried — flesh fried — instant, quick, just burn,” she said.

While she was still in the hospital, Travers wrote that “the attackers returned to finish the job,” this time successfully burning out her vehicle while her 16-year-old daughter was home alone. “If my dog hadn’t woken her up, it could have been a lot worse,” she added.

Due to the extent of her injuries, Travers said she won’t be able to work for at least six weeks and must wear compression garments for a year to manage scarring. “Despite the garments, I will still be scarred for life,” she wrote.

Originally from New Zealand, Travers has lived in Australia for nearly 15 years and said her visa status has limited the financial assistance she can receive. “I’m trying to raise funds to help me pay my rent and utilities and keep food on the table for my kids until I can get back to work,” she wrote. The funds will also cover transportation for her twice-weekly, 62-mile round trips to Fiona Stanley Hospital for dressing changes and physical therapy.

“I’m just a mom who’s trying her best to keep going for her kids,” Travers shared, thanking supporters for their help. “Any help would be greatly appreciated.”

Speaking to 9News, she added, “This brought something traumatic to my doorstep and I couldn’t protect my children from seeing this or dealing with this. They’re still having nightmares.”

Mandurah detectives are continuing to investigate, treating the attacks as suspicious. Travers remains sore and itchy but is recovering, even though she’s still unable to return to work.

The GoFundMe page had raised nearly $2,900 as of Monday, Nov. 3.